Apr 13, 2017

USABA Hall of Fame: Class of 2017

By: Harrison Palefsky, USABA Contributor

The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Hall of Fame Class of 2017 celebrates the achievements and contributions of Elizabeth “Beth” Scott, Stephen “Scott” Moore, Trischa Zorn, Larry Lee, Eugene “Deke” Edwards and Dr. Eugenia “Genie” Scott. These individuals are being recognized for the success, leadership, and professionalism they have displayed over the course of their outstanding careers.

Elizabeth “Beth” Scott is a 3-time Paralympian (‘92, ‘96, ‘00) and has won 17 medals (10 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze) over the course of her career. Scott is also a 2-time recipient of the USOC’s Blind Athlete of the Year Award (‘93, ‘96). At the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games, Scott pulled off an amazing run of 7 gold medals and 7 world records. Scott explained her championship mindset that helped her achieve her goals: “I refused to let anything, not my vision impairment, not my learning disabilities, not my asthma, and certainly not any naysayers, impede my path to the top of that medal podium.” After her competition days Scott directed her passion for sport to the USABA board where she served as a member from 2004 to 2009. Scott will be remembered as one of the best swimmers to ever touch the water.

Stephen “Scott” Moore is a 3-time Paralympian (‘96, ‘00, ‘04) in the sport of Judo. He went on to collect three medals over his career (1 gold, 2 bronze) and became the first athlete, Olympic or Paralympic, to win gold in judo. He described the emotions he went through shortly after winning gold in Sydney; “It is hard to put into words how it felt to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games. I took such pride in representing the United States in competition. The feeling of knowing all that hard work, all the blood, sweat, and tears (literally) had paid off is indescribable.” He now acts as the current U.S. Paralympic Judo Head Coach and was selected as the United States Olympic Committee’s Paralympic National Coach of The Year in 2009.

Trischa Zorn is a 7-time Paralympic swimmer (‘80, ‘84, ‘88, ‘92, ‘96, ‘00, ‘04). She is the most decorated athlete in Paralympic Games history with 55 medals (41 gold, 9 silver, 5 bronze). In the 1988 Seoul Games, Zorn pulled off an incredible feat by winning 10 gold medals in 10 events, and set 10 World/Paralympic records. She was inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2012. In addition to her incredible swimming career, Zorn served on the USABA Board of Directors from 2005 to 2016.

Coach Larry Lee is known as one of the most successful Paralympic coaches of all time. He had the privilege of coaching the first two USA Judo athletes to ever win gold medals at an Olympic or Paralympic Games. Scott Moore, a former Judo athlete who trained under Lee, said, “He taught me to train like a champion, he showed me the mind can accomplish more than the body”. Coach Lee is more than deserving of his Hall of Fame induction.

Eugene “Deke” Edwards is one of the original founding members of USABA. He assisted in the creation of USABA’s first constitution and first wrestling handbook for the blind. He also served on the board of USABA’s state organization for 36 years. Edwards dedicated many years of his life to USABA and its establishment. We appreciate his dedication and contributions to USABA.

Dr. Eugenia “Genie” Scott has been a staple in the USABA organization for 40+ years. She is one of USABA’s founding members and was the USABA historian. Scott was an international goalball coach and the organizer of the 1986 IBSA World Goalball Championships. Among Scott’s many additional contributions, she was an international and national goalball official and always served as a leader advocating for the betterment of the sport. Scott passed away in 2016 and is greatly missed by everyone she touched.

Each of these individuals has provided many great years of hard work and dedication to the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes. “We are extremely proud to recognize this incredible next class of inductees who distinguished themselves through their outstanding achievements,” said Mark Lucas, USABA’s executive director. “Because of their exemplary accomplishments during Paralympic competition and their leadership and community involvement outside of the sport venues, Trischa Zorn-Hudson, Beth Scott and Scott Moore, the three athlete inductees have set the bar incredibly high.”

The efforts of our 2017 inductees have gone the extra mile in helping grow and promote the organization to what it is today. We thank them for their service, passion, dedication and leadership. These individuals have solidified their places in history and will be remembered for years to come.